About Us
Dr. Van L. Wagner
Van L. Wagner, M.D., has been a full-time bariatric surgeon since moving to St. Louis in June 2003. Having performed more than 1000 Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding procedures, of which were 150 Periumbilical Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Bands, more than 500 Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass procedures and 25 laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomies in his surgical career, Dr. Wagner has balanced experience with both laparoscopic adjustable gastric bandings and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedures.
Dr. Wagner was born and raised in Galion, Ohio, and received his college degree in 1984 from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. He graduated from New York Medical College in Valhalla in 1989, and completed his general surgery residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark in 1994.
Dr. Wagner has been a board-certified general surgeon since 1996, and is a member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Wagner’s practice, Heart of America Bariatrics, has been recognized as a Bariatric Center of Excellence since 1996. He is married and has two children. His interests include mountain climbing, scuba diving, snowboarding, and running marathons.
Hospital Privileges
- St. Alexius Hospital
- Jefferson Regional Medical Center
Dr. Jay M. Snow
Jay Michael Snow, M.D. is a new addition to Heart of America Bariatrics. Dr. Snow earned his Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Fitness from the University of Missouri, Columbia. He continued on to medical school at MU and then completed his general surgery residency at the University of Oklahoma. Thereafter, he completed a yearlong fellowship in Bariatric Surgery at the Minnesota Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery. While there he perfected his surgical technique and management of complex patients by performing over 1000 surgeries and procedures.
Dr. Snow has given multiple presentations at national meetings and has been published in peer-reviewed medical literature. He is a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, the American College of Surgeons, and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. He received multiple awards throughout his residency and fellowship.
Last spring Dr. Snow volunteered with Project Haiti, a non-profit organization that teaches laparoscopy to surgical residents in Pignon, Haiti.
Outside of work, Dr. Snow is an avid outdoorsman with a special interest in waterfowl hunting and training his young Labrador retriever, Avery. He and his wife, Colleen, have a young son named Luke.
Dr. Snow’s patients routinely compliment him on his bedside manner and sense of humor. He is excited about his new position with HOAB and is currently scheduling new patients.
Hospital Privileges
- Jefferson Regional Medical Center
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Snow, call the Heart of America Bariatrics office at (314) 776-7112.
Staff
Monica Jahn: Office Manager
Monica is not the ordinary office manager. Although she oversees the everyday functions of the office, she is different because of the role she takes with the patients. She is always looking out for the best interest of the patient, and wants every patient to reach their personal goals. As an Affiliate Associate Member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Monica has completed multiple Gastric Banding adjustment and aftercare training programs. She is always looking for new ways to expand her knowledge in the field of Bariatric Healthcare. Monica has been with Heart of America Bariatrics since January 2007. When not at the office, Monica takes pleasure reading and spending time with her daughter, Scarlett.
Physician Extenders
Jenette McPike: Nurse Practitioner
With thousands of patients and the need for additional support, Heart of America Bariatrics added Jenette McPike, APN to the staff in November of 2010. Jenette is a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. She will provide care and support through your weight loss journey. Her core philosophy is individualized care. Jenette will focus on your condition as well as its effect on your life. Disease prevention, health promotion & wellness and education are priorities.
Jenette will obtain a medical history, conduct comprehensive physical exams and order appropriate tests/therapies. Additionally, she will treat, evaluate, manage and counsel you. In office, she will monitor and adjust your gastric band under fluoroscopy (x-ray) to customize your band for a maximum fit.
Jenette graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 1995 with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing, BSN. Then, after years of critical care nursing, she furthered her education. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2001 with a Masters of Science in Nursing, MSN. She is nationally board certified as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and holds certification in the specialty of women’s health.
Jenette is married and has three daughters. In spare time, she has a love for books, horses, tennis, and music. She is enthusiastic to be a part of the team at Heart of America Bariatrics for she is passionate about nutrition and fitness.
Stacey Hecht: Registered Dietitian
Beginning in 2011, Heart of America Bariatrics is proud to offer comprehensive nutrition services, available five days a week in our office. Stacey Hecht, RD, LDN is a registered and licensed dietitian. She will provide nutritional support and education throughout your weight loss journey. She will help you meet insurance requirements by starting you on a weight loss program and will work with you regularly to help you make healthy food choices, get the nutrients you need, and help optimize weight loss.
Stacey graduated from Missouri State University in 2007 with a Bachelors of Science in Dietetics. She went on to complete an accredited dietetic internship through the University of Houston, where she worked in various hospitals, outpatient and community settings. Prior to joining the Heart of America Bariatrics team, Stacey worked as an outpatient dietitian for a hospital.
Stacey is currently working on her Master’s degree in dietetics online through Kansas State University. In her spare time, Stacey enjoys running, being outdoors, and spending time with friends and family. Stacey is highly motivated and truly cares about the well-being of all her patients.
Heather: Medical Assistant
Heather is an experienced medical assistant and a 2006 graduate of Allied College. She studied medical assisting and received her Associates Degree in Applied Science. She enjoys working with patients and is eager to get to know Heart of America Bariatrics’ alumni. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, shopping, and exercising.
Patient Advocates
Heart of America Bariatrics is fortunate to have two remarkable Patient Advocates, Karen and Brittani. As Patient Advocates, their primary goal is to assist patients with getting from seminar to surgery with the highest level of efficiency. Once you have a submitted a completed medical history form, you will be assigned an advocate to be your exclusive guide through the pre-surgery process. Karen and Brittani have extensive experience coordinating with your other healthcare providers and insurance companies to obtain approval for surgery. Both incredibly passionate and highly motivated, Karen and Brittani offer continued support to Heart of America Bariatrics’ patients.
Brittani: Patient Advocate
Brittani has been with Heart of America Bariatrics since March 2008. In her free time, Brittani enjoys being with her husband, Bill, two daughters, Elayna and Sydney, and creating custom cloth diapers of her own design.
Katie: Front Desk Associate
Katie has been with Heart of America Bariatrics since April 2010. Katie is always friendly, has a great attitude, and enjoys talking to our patients. In her own time, Katie is a wonderful cake decorator. She also loves playing with her daughter, Morgan.
The Front Desk Team
The first smiling faces you are sure to see when you visit Heart of America Bariatrics are those of our Front Desk Team. Our front desk associates are knowledgeable and friendly, and enjoy getting to know each of our patients. They oversee scheduling in our office, will call to remind you of your appointment, and follow up with you after your visit. If you have questions regarding vitamin choices, each are educated on bariatric supplements. Most importantly, Katie and Heather welcome you to Heart of America Bariatrics and make you feel at home.
Karen: Front Desk Associate
Karen has been with Heart of America Bariatrics since November 2007. In her free time, Karen loves running, spending time with her husband and friends, and playing with her son, Mason.
Lisa: Front Desk Associate
Lisa has been with Heart of America Bariatrics since June of 2011. Lisa assists Karen with most of the front desk duties as well as assists Heather in the x-ray room. She registers new patients for one of Dr. Wagner or Dr. Snow’s free educational seminars and follows up with existing patients on a regular basis to see how they are doing and schedule them for a visit if necessary. In her down time, Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband, watching movies, and exercising. She is very excited to be a part of Heart of America Bariatrics!